Nova and Stratos Short Stories

Unexpected Pt.2

As the night deepened and the soft sounds of the camp outside faded into the background, Nova and Stratos found themselves sitting quietly in the dim light of the medical tent. The tension from their earlier argument had subsided, but an unspoken understanding lingered between them. Neither of them moved to break the silence, the air heavy with a newfound closeness.

Nova sat on the edge of the cot, her knees pulled to her chest as she absentmindedly twisted the edge of her sleeve. Stratos, still resting beside her, was quieter than usual. His cocky demeanor had softened, replaced by something more vulnerable. His eyes, usually filled with humor and bravado, were now locked on Nova, as though seeing her in a way he hadn’t before.

"Nova," he began, his voice quieter than usual, "I never really stopped to think about how much you deal with… watching all of us get hurt out there."

Nova looked over at him, her expression softening. "It’s not easy," she admitted. "But it's part of the job. I just…" She paused, searching for the right words. "I guess I didn’t expect to care this much about what happens to you."

Stratos’ gaze didn’t waver. There was something deeper in his eyes now—something far more sincere than his usual playful teasing. He leaned forward slightly, his hand brushing against hers, sending a spark of warmth through her.

"You’ve always had my back," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I guess I never realized how much that meant to me… until now."

Nova felt her heart skip a beat at the honesty in his words. She swallowed, suddenly aware of just how close they were sitting. The warmth of his hand, now gently resting against hers, was grounding, and yet it made her pulse quicken.

Before she could say anything, Stratos shifted closer, his other hand lightly grazing her cheek, his touch careful, almost hesitant. Nova’s breath caught in her throat as their eyes met, and in that moment, the world outside the tent seemed to disappear.

There was no battle, no chaos—just the two of them, caught in this quiet, unexpected moment.

Slowly, as if testing the waters, Stratos leaned in, his face inches from hers. Nova didn’t move away, her heart racing as she felt the heat of his breath on her skin. His hand slid from her cheek to the back of her neck, fingers threading gently through her hair.

Their lips met in a soft, tentative kiss, far gentler than their earlier one. This wasn’t rushed or heated; it was slow, careful, as if both of them were savoring the feeling of finally crossing this invisible line that had been between them for so long.

Nova’s hands found their way to Stratos’ shoulders, her fingers curling lightly into the fabric of his shirt as she deepened the kiss, a quiet hum escaping her lips. His arms wrapped around her, pulling her closer, their bodies now pressed together in a way that felt both natural and completely new.

For a moment, they stayed like that, lost in each other, the kiss growing slightly more urgent but never losing its tenderness. It was a kiss that spoke of all the unspoken words between them—of the fear, the care, the unacknowledged feelings that had been building for so long.

When they finally pulled apart, both of them were breathing heavily, their foreheads resting together. Stratos’ thumb brushed against her jawline, his eyes soft as they met hers.

"I’ve been wanting to do that for a long time," he admitted with a small, sheepish grin.

Nova laughed softly, her fingers still resting on his shoulders. "So, what took you so long?"

Stratos chuckled, his grin growing wider. "I guess I was waiting for you to yell at me first."

Nova shook her head, her heart still pounding in her chest. "Well, I guess you got your wish."

For a few moments, they sat there in the quiet, their faces still close, neither of them in a rush to move away. The warmth of the tent, the softness of the lantern light, and the steady sound of their breathing filled the space between them. There was an undeniable sense of comfort, as though everything that had been left unsaid was now understood without the need for words.

Stratos’ hand slid down to her waist, pulling her gently into his lap, and Nova didn’t resist. She rested her head against his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her cheek. His arms wrapped around her, holding her close in a way that felt protective and safe, something she hadn’t realized she needed.

Neither of them spoke for a long while, content to simply be in each other’s presence, their earlier argument forgotten. The night stretched on, but for now, they didn’t care. There would be battles to fight tomorrow, but tonight, they had each other.

And in this small, quiet moment, that was more than enough.